Foot Protection

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for protecting a user&#39;s feet, comprising a laminated sheet having an edge, a substantially water-proof material for floor-contact, and a substantially water absorbent material for foot-contact. The laminated sheet is foldable in half to a folded configuration, and the edge has a securing mechanism configured to connect together different parts of the edge when the laminated sheet is in the folded configuration to create an enclosure with the water-proof surface inner-most. The securing mechanism is configured to prevent liquid from escaping from the enclosure when said securing mechanism is fastened.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Application No 1205406.0 filed 27 Mar. 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus for protecting a user's feet, a method of protecting a user's feet and a method of constructing apparatus for protecting a user's feet.

2. Description of the Related Art

In public changing rooms, such as are found in swimming baths and sports centres, the floor is walked upon in shoes that are used outdoors, and consequently the changing room floor is typically contaminated by substances brought in from the outside world. In addition, the changing room floor is typically walked upon by many people in bare feet, some of whom may be suffering from contagious diseases relating to their feet. Consequently, there is a concern that by walking on such floors in bare feet, a person's feet may become contaminated by disease and/or dirt.

Transportable mats for use in a changing room are known, which may be placed on the changing room floor to allow a user to stand on the mat in their bare feet rather than standing on the floor. An example of such a mat is provided by GB2395659A. However, a first problem with the known mat is that after use, when the mat is folded up, any liquids, or solids, remaining on the surface of the mat which came from the floor may escape from the mat. In addition, when using such a public changing room, a person will generally use transfer footwear, for example for walking from the baths or showers to the place in the changing rooms where they get changed, and this transfer footwear can itself often be contaminated from the changing room floor. Thus, the contaminated transfer footwear, if put into the user's bag, may contaminate the bag.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising a laminated sheet having an edge, a substantially water-proof material for floor-contact, and a substantially water absorbent material for foot-contact, wherein: said laminated sheet is foldable in half to a folded configuration, and said edge has a securing mechanism configured to connect together different parts of said edge when said laminated sheet is in said folded configuration to create an enclosure with said water-proof surface inner-most, said securing mechanism being configured to prevent liquid from escaping from the enclosure when said securing mechanism is fastened.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of protecting a user's feet, comprising the steps of: placing a laminated sheet on a contaminated floor, in which a substantially water-proof material is placed in contact with said floor and a substantially water-absorbent material is presented upper-most for foot-contact; receiving wet feet upon said water absorbent surface while a user performs a drying operation, thereby allowing a user to apply outdoor footwear before contacting said contaminated floor directly; facilitating a folding operation to create an enclosure with the contaminated surface innermost; and responding to a securing operation by the use of a securing mechanism so as to resist escape of contaminated liquid from said enclosure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising the steps of: forming a laminated material having a substantially water-proof surface for floor contact and a substantially water absorbent material for foot contact; cutting said laminated material into a shape of sufficient size to allow a person to stand on the apparatus exclusively and unaided, said shape having an edge and a line of reflective symmetry; and applying a securing device to said edge, such that the apparatus may be folded with said water-proof surface innermost and secured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows apparatus 101 for protecting a users feet;

FIG. 2 shows in cross section the apparatus 101 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 shows a user 301 removing the apparatus 101 from a bag 302;

FIG. 4 shows the user 301 opening the zip 106 of the apparatus 101;

FIG. 5 shows the apparatus 101 in its unfolded state and placed on a floor 304;

FIG. 6 shows the user 301 standing on the apparatus 101;

FIG. 7 shows the user after having got dressed while keeping his feet off the floor 304 by using apparatus 101;

FIG. 8 shows the user 301 lifting the apparatus 101 up from the floor 304 after its use;

FIG. 9 shows the user 301 closing the zip 106 of the apparatus 101;

FIG. 10 shows the apparatus 101 with its zip only half closed; and

FIG. 11 shows the apparatus 101 being placed into the bag 302 of the user 301.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 and FIG. 2

Apparatus 101 for protecting a users feet as shown in a plan view in FIG. 1 and in cross section in FIG. 2. The apparatus 101 is in the form of a mat comprising a laminated sheet 102 formed of a sheet of substantially waterproof material 103 for floor contact and a sheet of substantially water absorbent material 104 for foot contact. The laminated sheet has an edge 105, and the edge has a securing mechanism 106 configured to connect together different parts of the edge when the laminated sheet is folded in half to create an enclosure with the waterproof material innermost.

In the present embodiment, the securing mechanism 106 is a zip, the two halves of which extend in opposite directions around the edge of the laminated sheet 102. Thus, a first half of the zip 107 extends around a first part 108 of the edge 106, while the second half 109 of the zip 106 extends around a different second part 110 of the edge 105.

It may be noted that the apparatus is free from any rigid structural elements and therefore may be folded about many different lines. However, in accordance with the present invention, it is foldable about a line 111 such that the two different parts 107 and 109 of the edge 105 are brought together to allow the zip 106 to be fastened.

In the present embodiment, where the securing mechanism is a zip, the action of sliding the slider 112 of the zip 106 from the open position shown in FIG. 1 to its closed position has the effect of bringing together the two different parts 107 and 109 of the edge 105.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus 101 has a handle 113 formed as a tab at the bottom stop of the zip 106. Consequently, the apparatus 101 is supportable by the handle 113 while fastening the zip and thereby causing the two halves of the laminated sheet 102 to fold together.

The sheet of waterproof material 103 is sufficiently waterproof to prevent water from passing through it when a person stands on the apparatus and the apparatus is located on a wet floor. In the present embodiment, the sheet of waterproof material 103 is formed of latex rubber material, and consequently it provides a relatively high friction surface to prevent the apparatus 101 from slipping when placed on a floor. However, other materials, such as other rubber materials are envisaged for use in place of latex rubber, particularly where the material provides at least the same high coefficient of friction as latex rubber material.

In the present embodiment, the water absorbent sheet 104 is formed of an absorbent microfiber but in other embodiments is formed of other water absorbent material, such as a traditional towel material. In one embodiment, the water absorbent material is formed from fibres derived from bamboo.

In some embodiments, the laminated sheet is formed of just the sheet of waterproof material 103 and the sheet of water absorbent material 104. However, in the present embodiment, the laminated sheet further comprises a third layer of material 114 located between the waterproof sheet 103 and the water absorbent sheet 104. The third layer 113 is preferably formed of a resilient material to provide additional cushioning for a user's feet.

In a method of constructing the apparatus 101, substantially waterproof material is obtained having a surface suitable for floor contact, as well as a sheet of substantially water absorbent material for foot contact. The waterproof sheet and the water absorbent sheet are placed together to form a laminated sheet. In the simplest embodiment, the waterproof sheet, typically formed of latex, is bonded to the water absorbent sheet. However, in an alternative embodiment the water absorbent sheet and the waterproof sheet are bonded to opposite surfaces of a central cushioning layer.

The sheets forming the laminated sheet are cut into a sufficient size to allow a person to stand on the apparatus exclusively and unaided, and such that said shape has an edge and a line of reflective symmetry. In the present embodiment, the laminated sheet is substantially circular but other shapes such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc, may be used, which have reflective symmetry so that different parts of the edge may be brought together and sealed. A securing device is attached to the edge of the laminated sheet, such that the completed apparatus may be folded with the waterproof surface innermost and secured in position by the securing device.

In one particular method of manufacturing the apparatus 101, the process of bonding of the waterproof material to the water absorbent material is performed by applying the waterproof material in a liquid or semi-liquid state to the water absorbent material and then solidifying the waterproof material.

As will be further described below, in the present embodiment, the laminated sheet 102 is formed of a sufficiently large size such that when the apparatus is folded about the line 111 it produces an enclosure that is sufficiently large to receive footwear, such as maybe used in a swimming baths, in public showers, etc.

In the present embodiment the securing mechanism is a zip (also known as a zip fastener or zipper). However, in alternative embodiments other securing mechanisms are used. In some alternative embodiments the securing mechanism comprises a ridge (or tongue) and groove arrangement used to provide a seal. In one alternative embodiment, the ridge and groove arrangement is of the type known as a “zip lock” with a slider for connecting and disconnecting the male and female halves of the zip lock. (Such zip lock mechanisms are known on bags used for food, pencil cases, document wallets, etc.) In further alternative embodiments, alternative securing arrangements are used, such as a zip lock fastener without a slider, a hook and loop fastener, etc. However, in each embodiment, the securing mechanism is configured to provide a seal between the different parts 107 and 109 of the edge of the laminated sheet 102 when the securing mechanism is in its closed configuration.

FIG. 3

A user 301 of apparatus 101 is shown in FIG. 3, removing the apparatus 101 from a bag 302. In a typical use of the apparatus 101, the user 301 is in a public changing room having been in a swimming baths and/or shower following a sporting activity. Consequently, the user is not dressed but is wearing footwear 303, in the form of flipflops or sandals, so that his feet do not come into contact with the floor 304. The floor 304 is typically damp and contaminated due to general public walking on it after having walked upon pavements, footpaths, roads, streets and parks, which are typically exposed to dog, cats and bird fouling, as well as other possibly unknown noxious substances. In addition, the floor 304 may be contaminated from the feet of other people suffering from diseases such as athlete's foot, onychomycocis, and varrucas, etc.

FIG. 4

The user 301 is shown again in FIG. 4 holding the apparatus 101 in a first hand 401 while sliding the zip 106 open using a second hand 402. When the zip 106 is fully opened, the apparatus 101 may be unfolded from its folded state shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5

The apparatus 101 is shown in FIG. 5 in its unfolded state and placed on the floor 304 with its substantially waterproof surface against the floor 304 and its substantially water absorbent surface 104 facing upwards.

FIG. 6

The apparatus 101 is shown in FIG. 6 with its water absorbent surface 104 facing upwards and its waterproof surface positioned against the floor 304. The user has taken off his footwear 303 (shown in FIG. 3), and without placing his bare feet 601 on the floor surface 304, and without placing his footwear 303 on the water absorbent sheet 104, he has stepped onto the water absorbent sheet 104. The waterproof sheet 103 provides a barrier stopping any contaminant present on the floor 304 from coming into contact with the feet 601 of the user 301.

FIG. 7

The user is shown again in FIG. 7 after having got dressed and while keeping his feet off the floor 304 by using apparatus 101. Thus, the user 301 is able to place footwear 701 onto his feet without bringing his feet into contact with the floor 304 and contaminating them.

FIG. 8

The user 301 is shown lifting the apparatus 101 up from the floor 304 after its use. To lift the apparatus 101 the user holds the apparatus 101 by the tab 113 at the end of its zip 106. This action by itself begins the process of folding the laminated sheet 102 in half.

FIG. 9

The user 301 is shown in FIG. 9 holding the apparatus 301 by its handle 113 using a first hand 401, while closing the zip 106 with a second hand 402. During this operation, the slider 112 of the zip tends to pull the two different parts of the edge 105 of the laminated sheet 102 together with the waterproof sheet innermost and the water absorbent material 104 outermost. By folding the apparatus 101 in half in this way, an enclosure is formed suitable for receiving the footwear 303 previously used by the user 301 to transfer himself from the baths or showers into the changing room.

FIG. 10

The apparatus 101 is shown in FIG. 10 with its zip only half closed. Consequently, the parts of the edge 105 of the laminated sheet 102 where the zip 106 has not yet been fastened provide an opening which gives access to the enclosure formed by the apparatus and so the enclosure is able to receive the footwear 303. After positioning the footwear 303 within the enclosure formed by the apparatus 101, the zip 106 is fully fastened to secure the footwear within the enclosure and also to resist the escape of any contaminated liquid present on the footwear or waterproof sheet from escaping from the enclosure.

FIG. 11

The apparatus 101 containing footwear 303 (not viewable in FIG. 11) is shown in FIG. 11 being placed into the bag 302 of the user 301. Any contaminated liquid remaining in contact with the waterproof sheet 104 or footwear 303 is constrained within the apparatus 101 by the waterproof layer itself and the securing mechanism in the form of the zip 106, and therefore escape of contaminating liquid from the apparatus 101 into the user's bag 302 is prevented. It may be noted that securing mechanism (in the form of the zip 106) does not necessarily have to provide a water-tight seal capable of containing liquid under pressure, but is required to prevent the egression of small quantities of liquid that may be present on the waterproof sheet 104 or footwear 303. 

What we claim is:
 1. Apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising a laminated sheet having an edge, a substantially water-proof material for floor-contact, and a substantially water absorbent material for foot-contact, wherein: said laminated sheet is foldable in half to a folded configuration, and said edge has a securing mechanism configured to connect together different parts of said edge when said laminated sheet is in said folded configuration to create an enclosure with said water-proof surface inner-most, said securing mechanism being configured to prevent liquid from escaping from the enclosure when said securing mechanism is fastened.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism comprises a mechanism selected from the group: a zip; a hook and loop fastener; a ridge and groove arrangement; a zip lock fastener with a slider; a zip lock fastener without a slider.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handle, such that said apparatus is supportable by said handle while said securing mechanism is fastened.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a handle, such that said apparatus is supportable by said handle while said securing mechanism is fastened.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said securing mechanism is a zip and said handle comprises a tab at the end of said zip.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said securing mechanism is configured to bring said different parts of said edge together while said securing mechanism is fastened.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is of a sufficient size to contain footwear.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said enclosure contains footwear and said footwear is water-proof.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said water-proof footwear are flip-flops or bathing shoes.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said substantially water absorbent material is an absorbent micro-fibre.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said substantially water-proof material is a latex rubber material or material having a similar coefficient of friction to latex rubber.
 12. The apparatus of claims 1, wherein said laminated sheet comprises a third layer between said substantially waterproof material and said substantially water absorbent material.
 13. A method of protecting a user's feet, comprising the steps of: placing a laminated sheet on a contaminated floor, in which a substantially water-proof material is placed in contact with said floor and a substantially water-absorbent material is presented upper-most for foot-contact; receiving wet feet upon said water absorbent surface while a user performs a drying operation, thereby allowing a user to apply outdoor footwear before contacting said contaminated floor directly; facilitating a folding operation to create an enclosure with the contaminated surface innermost; and responding to a securing operation by the use of a securing mechanism so as to resist escape of contaminated liquid from said enclosure.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein transfer shoes are introduced into an enclose defined by said folding operation and held therein after said securing operation.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein said securing operation comprises fastening a zip.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a tab extends from an end of said zip and said folding operation is initiated by removing the laminated sheet from said floor by holding said tab.
 17. A method of constructing apparatus for protecting a user's feet, comprising the steps of: forming a laminated material having a substantially water-proof surface for floor contact and a substantially water absorbent material for foot contact; cutting said laminated material into a shape of sufficient size to allow a person to stand on the apparatus exclusively and unaided, said shape having an edge and a line of reflective symmetry; and applying a securing device to said edge, such that the apparatus may be folded with said water-proof surface innermost and secured.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said forming step comprises bonding a substantially water-proof material to a substantially water absorbent material.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said bonding step is performed by applying said substantially water-proof material in a liquid or semi-liquid state.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein a pair of transfer shoes are located upon said water-proof surface and said securing device is secured with said transfer shoes retained in place as if in a bag. 